Environmental Science and Sustainability

Title: The Filthy Truth: An Environmental Justice Analysis of Public Beaches in Cleveland, Ohio
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This research takes an environmental justice perspective to analyze three public beaches in Cleveland, Ohio–Euclid Villa Angela Beach, Mentor Headlands, and Edgewater– to determine if beach quality is lower in Black and low socioeconomic communities than in majority white and upper class neighborhoods. To measure beach quality, trash from each beach was collected along a known distance, and an infrastructure analysis was performed to assess the recreational infrastructure present at each location. Data on each of the surrounding communities’ socioeconomic status was collected and measured the average home value, percentage of population without health insurance, rate of car ownership, percentage of renting residents, Black population, and percent of population living below the poverty line. Data produced in this study revealed that the beach with the highest density of trash had the highest Black population of the communities examined, indicating potential environmental injustice along the Cleveland coastline.

Title: Evaluation of Suspended Sediment Concentration in Woodcock Creek and Tributaries
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Sediment buildup in streams can harmfully impair the quality of water by carrying pollutants such as nutrients, metals, and organic compounds, which can negatively impact water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Sediment evaluations serve as an effective practice to assess stream health, and implications of upstream land use. The Watershed Conservation Research Center (WCRC) at Allegheny College has recently started to plan a potential restoration project on one of the sampled tributaries at Woodcock Creek. As a result, five different tributaries within the Woodcock Creek watershed were evaluated, recording suspended sediment concentrations and turbidity, in effort to show need of repair at one site. The purpose of this study was to 1) gather sediment concentration data for the five tributaries under different flow rates, and compare different concentrations among sites, and 2) gather land cover information and relation to sediment/turbidity levels. More specifically the study hypothesized that German Run, one of the sampled tributaries, had the largest sediment input and biggest impact to downstream areas of Woodcock Creek. This hypothesis was tested by measuring sediment concentrations and turbidity ratings. Samples were taken under both base flow and storm flow conditions, determined by United States Geological Survey (USGS) gauges placed at Price Rd, one of the main stem sample sites. Results showed that although there was too much variance in the samples to show differences in average concentrations. By testing under different flow conditions, results did show that under high flow conditions, German Run was exceptionally high. Data suggest that German Run has a large negative impact of sediment loading under storm flow conditions, increasing sediment loads downstream. The negative impact of German Run is also highlighted by its poor land cover. This suggest that restoration efforts at German Run should be considered by the WCRC.

Title: A Study of a River Otter Family on an Island Heritage Trust Property on Deer Isle, Maine
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) have been expanding their range into habitats where they are previously extirpated. This study is designed to observe a romp of North American river otters residing on a strip of private land in Deer Isle, Maine that is recently transferred to the ownership of the Island Heritage Trust (IHT) during 2022. It is in the mutual interests of the Trust and the original land owner to have this strip of land turned into a nature preserve without disrupting or driving away the established otter romp, since they have the potential to be a tourist draw for the preserve. The primary objective of the study is to observe a half-rotation of the otters’ annual behavioral cycle (June 6 – November 25, 2022) using eight Cuddeback trail cameras for 723.93 trap days. During the study period, there are a total of 655 unique visits, of which 45 are of humans and 20 are river otter detections. The otter visits occurred in June and September through November. The results of this study can be used to propose possible approaches by which IHT could best preserve and protect the resident wildlife while also making the area suitable for the use of locals and other visitors as a future nature preserve.

Title: How can art inform an audience about the damage caused by sheep dipping?
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Studio Art & Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Industrialized farming has led to the development of damaging practices within the farming industry. This once-modest practice has turned into a billion-dollar operation that prioritizes profit over the welfare of living creatures and ecosystems. Sheep dipping is an industrial farming practice that involves physically dipping live sheep into a liquid solution to eliminate any harmful parasites from their wool. The sheep dip solution, however, is toxic for both the sheep and the environment that the dip is dumped into after use. It is my goal to inform my audience about sheep dipping and its harmful effects through environmental art. My artwork involves a drawing and a motorizing installation to replicate the sheep dipping process. As my drawing is dipped into water it slowly disintegrates over time to show the slow degradation of sheep lives and the quality of the environment. It is my hope that by raising awareness about this harmful practice, more sustainable alternatives and further research into sheep dipping will result.

Title: The Effects of Agricultural Land Use in North Central Utah on Wildfire Conditions
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Wildfires in the American west have been a phenomenon that have been recorded and combated for the past hundred years. In recent years, wildfire frequency and intensity have increased, as well as national and international awareness. In the state of Utah, the situation is no different than that in other western states. With the surge of wildfires mostly attributed to climate change, I chose to examine through process tracing if the volume of agricultural land in Sanpete, Utah and Wasatch counties had an effect, adverse or not, on the volume of reported wildfires in the aforementioned counties. The three counties were chosen for their geographic location, situated in central Utah with a mix of subalpine forest and grassland steppe, where agricultural land is situated. The counties were also chosen for the density of agricultural land use, with some counties having slightly more or less than others. Examining atmospheric, wildfire and agricultural data gives a look at the role that changing ambient air temperature and precipitation play in the dynamic wildfire situation in Utah. The findings of this research may be used in the future to apply a more definite causation of growing wildfires not only in Utah, but the American west as a whole.

Title: Community Action Plan to Combat Gentrification in Latino/Minority Neighborhoods
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science & Spanish
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This essay studies the techniques implemented by Latino/low-income neighborhoods in order to combat gentrification within their communities. The techniques then helped aid in the creation of a general community action plan that could help other Latino/low-income communities combat gentrification within their neighborhoods. Using case studies I analyzed three historically Latino/marginalized cities within US territory; Austin Texas, Chicago Illinois, and Puerta de Tierra Puerto Rico. The shift within Austin, Texas due to gentrification can be seen prominently within the past few years due to covid. The east Austin community particularly has used policy and advocacy as a means to fight against developers and wealthy investors. Gentrification within Chicago, Illinois has been a problem since the early 2000s. They have used the creation of grassroots organizations and muralism as their main forms of fighting against forms of gentrification. Murals help beautify the area as well as instill the culture of the community throughout. Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico has recently been experiencing huge displacement due to gentrification within their cities. Act 22, placed by the US, has allowed foreigners to avoid paying certain taxes when they move to Puerto Rico. Community members have banded together to create policy and the use of murals as a means to fight and have their voices heard. The three main strategies implemented are policy creation, grassroots organizations and art as a means for all these communities to fight against gentrification. The creation of a mock-up of a CAP was created, but further research can be done to expand/look into other strategies and case study options in order to implement from a wider pool of data.

Title: Recommendations for Improving Energy Efficiency in Quigley Hall
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This project uses an ASHRAE level 1 and a partial level 2 energy audit to examine the energy use of Quigley Hall. The primary problem that this is addressing is inefficient energy use in buildings, which results in costs to building owners and can coincide with discomfort for users of the building. A walkthrough of the building was conducted in order to assess it and identify areas to look at more closely. An IR camera was used to identify areas of heat loss from the building and areas that are not sealed. Gas bills from the building in past years were examined to determine how much natural gas the building uses and at what times of the year it is used. It was found that replacing two sets of doors, which were found to allow heat to escape from the inside of the building in large amounts, would be the most beneficial improvement to the examined aspects of the building.

Title: Oh My! Mycelia!
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Increases of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the industrial age of human activity on the Earth has, according to most scientists, caused an alarming rate of global warming resulting in major negative impacts on the environment. Nonetheless, there are still few solutions being developed to reduce this trend. One method of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide, which has been largely ignored, is the promotion of fungal growth. Fungi have great potential to sequester immense amounts of carbon dioxide. In doing so, the fungi also play a large role in ecosystem restoration, a major necessary component in fighting climate change. Climate change has decreased fungal health globally; therefore, promoting fungal growth could be vital. For these reasons, the experiment outlined in this study is designed primarily to assess which natural forested environments are favorable for greater and faster fungal growth. The results show which tree types, native to western Pennsylvania, promote the most fungal growth when that tree species sheds woody material to the forest floor or when the tree dies and falls, providing fungi with their primary food source, wood. The soil and wood samples were placed in a controlled environment and served as a replication of the woody debris covering forest floor soil as a means to observe how fungi grow under those controlled conditions. With the results of this study, new forest management plans could be developed with the intention of increasing the total mass of fungi that would be capable of sequestering more carbon across the planet.

Title: A Plan for Reducing Plastic Bottle Consumption at Allegheny College
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Single-use PET plastic bottles are the most commonly used beverage packaging material with the United States consuming over 644 bottles per person and half a trillion being produced annually world-wide. Despite that, less than 5% of bottles get repurposed or recycled with the rest being incinerated, going to landfills, or landing in the ocean. With college campuses being home to some of the top consumers of single-use bottles, they also have the unique structure of an isolated community that is able to tackle this issue. Through bottle bans, social comparison theory, refill stations, and source removal, decreasing our consumption is entirely possible. Using Allegheny College as a case study location, this research provides a step by step guide for decreasing single-use consumption by approximately 50%. Using data from other universities, this guide analyzes methods from other trials, financial considerations, perceived public opinions, and predicted barriers. In action, the research here should provide a clear-cut answer for how to decrease single-use consumption and serve as an adaptable layout for other colleges and universities around the world.

Title: Black Spot Disease on Fish Species in the French Creek Watershed
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Freshwater habitats like French Creek are home to rich biodiversity and various species of plants and animals. In today’s day and age human activity has caused degradation to freshwater ecosystems. These negative externalities that are caused by humans are being experienced first hand by these fish and plant species. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between stream health and Black Spot Disease parasite loads in fish. Fish were sampled at various sites along French Creek on 3 dates in the fall of 2022. Areas of the stream were electroshocked, fish were collected, and data gathered. Location, species name, and severity of BSD found on each fish was recorded. Additionally, water chemistry data including water temperature, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) was collected. Data was analyzed to determine if water chemistry metrics were related to the abundance of BSD. It was determined that water temperature, pH, and TDS did not impact the abundance of BSD found on fish species. Future studies should look at snail populations around the same stream locations to see if they are carrying BSD and if so, do any water chemistry metrics affect their abundance of BSD. This in all could draw a correlation between human environmental degradation and disease in French Creek watershed.

Title: Thinking Outside the Box: A GIS-Based Approach for American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Nest Box Establishment in Northwestern Pennsylvania
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small species of falcon that has declined throughout North America since the mid-1960s, with causes linked to habitat alteration, predation, exposure to rodenticides, and human disturbance in proximity to nest sites. Artificial nest boxes can be provided where optimal habitat exists to aid in bolstering population numbers. Habitat requirements for a breeding pair vary regionally and influence the likelihood of nest box use. This study aimed to provide optimal locations for nest box establishment for Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (TWC) and on state game lands (SGLs) within Wildlife Management Unit 1B for the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) Northwest Region to increase conservation efforts in northwestern Pennsylvania. Through a GIS-based approach, land cover was delineated and quantified for 20 nest boxes monitored from 2011-2014 in Warren County. An occupancy rate of 100% correlated with nest boxes being established primarily on grassland, where contiguous grassland habitat is >4.23 ha or contiguous shrubland habitat is >2.95 ha, and where nest boxes are >140 m from a dense forest edge, which served as minimum requirements for the stakeholders. Optimal locations for TWC were 1.2% of the area delineated for a total of 6 sites. Eight of the 12 SGLs assessed had 29 optimal locations across SGLs. Ground truthing optimal locations would verify current land cover and determine places for installation in the field. Establishing multiple nest boxes within a site could increase probability of nest box use and help to diminish competition between kestrels and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Monitoring nest boxes annually would reveal whether a GIS-based approach can be used to identify suitable areas for breeding kestrels.

Title: Industry Agents: Social Connection and Environmental Injustice in Maharashtra
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: The Indian state of Maharashtra is one of the country’s largest industrial centers; its capital, Mumbai, is known as the gateway of India for its optimal geography and contribution to social life (Mookerjee, 2022). While the textile industry is a major contributor to pollution, a thriving textile market is still important to Maharashtra. This is because arts and crafts, such as weaving, is significant to their cultural traditions. A thorough understanding of how social structures within the textile industry and the state operate as well as relational dynamics among social groups/agents, is crucial to designing a sustainable, inclusive future. In this thesis, I will address the question: How do socio-political relationship structures within the textile industry contribute to environmental injustice in Maharashtra? I expect to synthesize the state of knowledge in this research field to provide a layout for understanding social connection and the role it plays in facilitating a healthy environment with healthy individuals. This includes unraveling the industry to identify different actors and their motivations.

Title: Cooperative Higher Education: Embodied System Change for a Climate Future
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This project questions how to get to a post-capitalist future capable of combating climate change through the education system, and how education can be used at large to create system change. The introduction begins broadly, centering the argument of how capitalism is inherently not capable of supporting a climate future, and continues by showing how the ideologies of capitalism have morphed into neoliberalism, and further trickled down through the education system. It finishes by outlining tactics to disrupt neoliberalism in education, and the importance of doing so in order to systematically address climate change. The rest of the project is more focused, beginning with the rise of neoliberalism and what that looks like as a hegemony, concretely, all around us. Next, it shows what this means structurally and integrally for the education system, from a heavy administrative presence to devaluing systems used to measure student growth. The project continues by asking what it means to model system change, and this is where I suggest a cooperative approach to higher education, where change of habit is integrated into how life is structured- where a transformative education can be practiced in how we live with and relate to one another. By targeting the root of neoliberal education organization, I argue we can disrupt all norms of a status quo society that drive climate change, thus rebuilding systems of value with connectedness at the core, with space to value the space we inhabit, together. Through living in system change, students will be more equipped to replicate it in the world around them post graduation, therefore being the new hegemonic force reorganizing each sphere of life to align with sustainability.

Title: Creating a Cycle of Giving: A Proposal for a Free Store at Allegheny College
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Throughout the clothing production and eventual disposal processes, there are many practices that speak to the unsustainable nature of the clothing industry. These practices involve massive greenhouse gas emissions and heavy water consumption during production, and large amounts of waste when clothes are ultimately disposed of. These challenges are exacerbated by fast fashion, which ultimately speeds up these processes making them much harder to mitigate. This paper explores a possible means to mitigating these challenges on a local level in the city of Meadville, by way of implementing a free thrift store. The paper argues that a free store at Allegheny College offers the school, and the city of Meadville a reasonable solution to economic issues, as well as a sustainable way to engage community members. This paper looks to understand the lifespan of the previous free store at Allegheny College in an effort to understand what a free store may look like at Allegheny and what challenges it may face. Moreover, this paper will investigate the active free store at Oberlin college as a means to show how a working free store can operate. The paper concludes with a two-step proposal that will act as the foundation for a permanent free store at Allegheny College.

Title: Rain Garden Suitability Analysis for Cleveland to Prevent Effects of Combined Sewage Overflows
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This study assessed rain garden placement Cleveland, Ohio to prevent the effects of combined sewage overflows (CSOs). CSOs are the discharging of industrial and local waste, along with storm water, into a body of water. They happen when a combined sewer system (CSS) is overwhelmed by the volume of water, and cause environmental, health, and economic issues. To mitigate these problems, a suitability analysis was conducted to produce a map of suitable areas for rain gardens, which are a low-scale infrastructure that can reduce water volume to sewer systems and filter out certain pollutants, using geographic information systems. Four criteria were taken into account to produce a suitability map: slope, distance from roads, distance from CSO outfalls, and land use using raster based data and fuzzy logic to score them. The resulting map displays 5 degrees of suitability, with nearly 8 square miles of highly suitable areas for rain gardens. This map can be used to help guide decisions on where to place rain gardens to maximize their effectiveness in reducing CSOs.

Title: Assessing Acoustic Niche Partitioning in a Temperate Forest and Scrub Bird Community
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Biology & Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: According to the acoustic niche hypothesis, animals that communicate vocally are expected to modify the timing or frequency of their vocalizations to avoid overlapping in time and frequency with other vocalizing species. In birds, acoustic niche partitioning (ANP) increases with species richness, community intactness, and levels of background noise. Forest and open habitats are expected to differ in their levels of ANP due to differences in how sound propagates between habitats. I investigated ANP in a forest and a scrub bird community using 24 minutes of audio from four forest sites and four scrub sites in northwestern Pennsylvania. ANP was assessed by determining the number of vocalizations that overlapped in time and frequency and comparing the observed number of overlaps to an expected distribution of overlaps generated by randomizing the start time of each vocalization but holding its duration and frequency range constant. Observed overlaps were not significantly lower than the expected distribution of overlaps in any of the sites, indicating that ANP is not occurring within either of the sampled forest or scrub habitats. Failure to detect ANP could be due to differing conditions in temperate vs. tropical environments as well as an artificially high sensitivity to overlap in my methodology. The study indicates temperate birds tolerate some level of acoustic overlap and suggests future conservation efforts should focus on reducing anthropogenic noise in tropical environments, where such noise is more likely to disrupt avian communication systems than in temperate communities.

Title: Effects of Stream Crossing Type on Fish Assemblages and Stream Ecosystem Conditions
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Culverts are used as road crossings to connect the upstream and downstream reaches of a stream, but they can severely alter habitat characteristics and species assemblages. Many culvert features impede fish biodiversity, movement, and survival therefore restorations of these crossings can be completed to help address these ecological concerns. Paired upstream-downstream assessments determine the effects of restoration of old/to be replaced culverts and predict the future success of newly replaced culverts. We sampled stream crossing in stream orders 1st – 3rd in the French Creek watershed in northwestern Pennsylvania to evaluate the influence of different road crossing types. Three sites contain old, to be replaced culverts scheduled to be replaced in 2023, four sites contain newly recently replaced culverts, and the last four sites were bridges. We collected fish, abiotic, and stream crossing data at each sample site. We determined NAACC passability scores for each stream crossing. Findings from passability tests show that to be replaced crossings had the lowest passability scores from 0.03 – 0.597 on a scale of zero to one, whereas all bridges and newly replaced culverts had scores > 0.85. These to be replaced culverts were not allowing fish species to move effectively upstream and downstream. Specific species such as suckers and darters were not able to move upstream in these streams of the to be replaced culverts. The Crawford County Conservation District (CCCD) is replacing two of the three to be replaced culverts this year. Our research will set the baseline to see the effects of restoration.

Title: A Test of the River Continuum Concept in Stream Orders of Varying Human Impact
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: The River Continuum Concept (RCC) describes the relationship between geomorphological characteristics of streams and their changes in dominant energy sources, resulting in varying macroinvertebrate distribution. However, these relationships only account for streams under healthy conditions and might not predict how streams can be disrupted by anthropogenic influences, like agricultural runoff and urbanization. This experimental study aims to test if streams of varying order more closely follow the functional feeding group trends proposed by the RCC when under healthy, low human impact conditions, as compared to streams of similar order under unhealthy, high human impact conditions. Sample sites were located at first, fourth, and sixth order streams, each paired with a low and high impact site, creating a total of six field study sites within the French Creek Watershed in Crawford County, PA. At each site, data was collected for macroinvertebrate samples, chlorophyll a biomass, various water parameters, nitrogen concentration, and phosphate concentration. Statistical analysis showed a mix of support and contradiction to the proposed hypothesis. The first order pair showed no significant deviations from the RCC despite some stream health differences. The fourth order pair best supported the hypothesis with clear stream health differences affecting RCC adherence. The sixth order stream pair contradicted the hypothesis by having stream health differences which should have negatively impacted the high impact site, but ultimately resulted in that site better adhering to the RCC than the low impact site. These results indicate that human impact does have the potential to cause streams of varying order to deviate from projected trends in the RCC as a result of stream health degradation. However, the severity of deviation and the consistency of impact across stream orders varied between measurements. Further research is needed to solidify trends found and identify pollutants which are degrading these streams.

Title: Impact of Human Activity Levels on Coyote Temporal Behaviors on Presque Isle State Park
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Humans and wildlife must adapt to coexist in increasingly overlapping environments. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are one species that share various types of spaces with humans, such as natural recreation areas, and are already known to spatially distance themselves from humans. However, fewer studies have been conducted to determine if coyotes change what time of the day they are most active to avoid negative human interactions. This study examined Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania, an area used by both humans and coyotes, to assess if coyotes change when they are active based on different levels of human activity. Between 30 October 2022 and 3 February 2023, two Cuddeback trail cameras were placed at three locations with high, medium, and low human activity. Photos were analyzed for when coyotes were active and what behaviors they were exhibiting. A total of 229 photos were cataloged with 37 individual detections of coyotes. Of the coyote detections, 35 of them were at night. The results support that the coyotes of Presque Isle State Park were nocturnal, especially in areas with high human activity. These results can be used to inform future management plans for coyotes on Presque Isle and educate the public on the wildlife they may interact with while visiting.

Title: Case-Study Analysis of Electrification Efforts at Institutions: Creating Future Recommendations for Allegheny College’s Efforts
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Across the globe, as the climate crisis continues to present itself as a rising problem, the need to move away from fossil fuels is becoming all the more clear. The increase of CO2 emissions is one of the leading causes of global warming, and a good portion of that comes from relying on fossil fuels for heating and cooling of residential buildings. To that end, many cities and buildings are moving away from relying on fossil fuels and natural gas for heating and cooling, instead opting to “electrify” their buildings, with technologies that use electricity to generate their power, and are more sustainable and efficient as a result. This effort has extended not just to cities and towns, but to institutions of education as well. At Allegheny College in particular, some of these technologies have already been implemented, such as geothermal heat pumps in some of its academic buildings, as well as its North Village apartment complex, but many of its residential buildings still use natural gas heating. This study will examine Allegheny’s current electrification efforts and energy efficiency in its residential buildings, while also drawing on several other institutions’ efforts through case studies. Based on the findings of the case studies, a few recommendations will be drafted for how Allegheny can continue its electrification efforts going forward.

Title: “Not Everyone Has the Same Privileges”: Filling the Gaps in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Through Environmental Justice Lessons
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: One of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to provide quality education as a way to “promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” while also ensuring that children especially have access to inclusive and equitable education opportunities by 2030 (United Nations, 2022). This framework does not support the education that will be necessary as the climate crisis worsens because of its lack of clear standards among other issues as well as the complete absence of the discussion of environmental justice (EJ). EJ is largely absent from the goals, targets, and indicators of the SDGs despite the fact that many environmental problems are problems of justice, and some researchers have concluded that the exclusion of an explicit discussion of justice in any of the SDGs could lead to negative consequences for EJ. The subject of environmental education (EE) and its teachings can serve as the intersection between general education and environmental justice that the SDGs severely need, as the foundational teachings of EE dictate that the field is extremely interdisciplinary and center EJ. This research project proposes environmental education lesson plans that focus on EJ through systems-thinking, open-ended questions, and place-based learning to serve as a basis of pivotal EE teachings that reflect the original intention and definition of “environmental education” created in the 1977 Tbilisi Conference.

Title: Uptick in Tick-borne Disease: A KAB Survey in Lyme Endemic Northwestern Pennsylvania
Date: Spri
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: This project investigates the connection between public perception of tick-borne disease and preventive behavior in the endemic area of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Ticks are the leading vector for disease in the United States and Pennsylvania is the leading state in Lyme disease cases. Changing habitat, forest fragmentation, urban sprawl, and climate change are forcing humans and ticks closer together. This increase in human-tick encounters correlates with an uptick in tick-borne disease throughout the state. Without any community-based tick mitigation efforts, all responsibility of disease prevention falls onto the individual. This study places tick-borne disease in the context of global health studies and land use change in the state of Pennsylvania. This study used a Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) survey posted within Facebook Groups and to local environmentally-focused email lists, including the French Creek Valley Conservancy, to gauge perceptions of ticks. Participants were asked about the spread of tick-borne disease, severity of disease, and about their own preventative habits. Results show that participants are concerned about tick-borne disease within the area and that adherence to tick checks, wearing long pants, and using insect repellant are high. However, the survey revealed misconceptions about the ecology of ticks and tick-borne disease. These misconceptions can foster amplified fear surrounding ticks and an avoidance of the outdoors. Understanding the barriers to knowledge and preventative action can help public health officials to address the Lyme-endemic in this area and create community-based solutions. This study is the first to investigate the public perception of tick-borne disease in Pennsylvania.

Title: A GIS Multi-Criteria Analysis of Indoor Radon Risk in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science &
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Indoor radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that poses a potential threat to all homeowners. When uranium decays in the rocks and soils underlying a house, it forms radon. Radon can escape from the ground and find its way into a home through cracks in the foundation or basement walls. As a result of its radioactive properties, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Columbia County, Pennsylvania faces some of the highest radon levels in the state but still has relatively few radon tests performed. A GIS multi-criteria analysis was conducted to better understand the risk that Columbia County faces and encourage proactive testing behaviors. The analysis used an analytical hierarchy process and weighted linear combination approach to first assign weights to radon risk factors including lithology, soil permeability, proximity to faults, water supply, and home age, and then combine them. This produced a radon risk index for the county that identified specific areas that may benefit from additional radon education and outreach. The risk index indicated that almost 50% of the county’s area is classified as high risk. The results of this analysis were made accessible to the public via ArcGIS Story Maps (https://arcg.is/efmuX) to help inform Columbia County residents about their home’s radon risk. This approach can be replicated for other geographical areas, as any community can benefit from increased radon awareness.

Title: A GIS Multi-Criteria Analysis of Indoor Radon Risk in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science & Global Health
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Establishing multiple nest boxes within a site could increase probability of nest box use and help to diminish competition between kestrels and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Monitoring nest boxes annually would reveal whether a GIS-based approach can be used to identify suitable areas for breeding kestrels.The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small species of falcon that has declined throughout North America since the mid-1960s, with causes linked to habitat alteration, predation, exposure to rodenticides, and human disturbance in proximity to nest sites. Artificial nest boxes can be provided where optimal habitat exists to aid in bolstering population numbers. Habitat requirements for a breeding pair vary regionally and influence the likelihood of nest box use. This study aimed to provide optimal locations for nest box establishment for Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (TWC) and on state game lands (SGLs) within Wildlife Management Unit 1B for the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) Northwest Region to increase conservation efforts in northwestern Pennsylvania. Through a GIS-based approach, land cover was delineated and quantified for 20 nest boxes monitored from 2011-2014 in Warren County. An occupancy rate of 100% correlated with nest boxes being established primarily on grassland, where contiguous grassland habitat is >4.23 ha or contiguous shrubland habitat is >2.95 ha, and where nest boxes are >140 m from a dense forest edge, which served as minimum requirements for the stakeholders. Optimal locations for TWC were 1.2% of the area delineated for a total of 6 sites. Eight of the 12 SGLs assessed had 29 optimal locations across SGLs. Ground truthing optimal locations would verify current land cover and determine places for installation in the field.

Abstract: Title: Policy Analysis of the WASH Systems in Indonesia
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science & Geology
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Indonesia is the largest island nation in the world and in the last two decades, there have been many efforts by the government and various NGOs to alleviate the issue of unsafe sanitation and hygiene. Despite governmental interventions, many regions both urban and rural still lack access to clean water. Safe sanitation and hygiene programs are fundamental as they affect not only the health of a population, but also help to reduce poverty levels, increase food security, ecosystems, and education levels. It is critical to look at the progress and effectiveness of interventions that have been made in regards to sanitation in order to provide recommendations for how to proceed in the future. Not all policies have the same levels of success in different countries and even different regions in a particular nation. Indonesia is an interesting case study because of its unique geographical features which have resulted in a heavily decentralised government and distinct cultural beliefs and traditions. In recent years, the country has focused on educational campaigns, sanitation programs, and microfinance programs to improve its sanitation systems. In this policy analysis, the effectiveness of the various strategies that the Indonesian government has implemented have been analysed, and it was found that a combination of all three programs would be recommended to maximise effectiveness. This paper utilises a four-step rational policy analysis model, in which the policies are first identified and the criteria are established. Based on the criteria (cost, time, equity, and effectiveness), an assessment was completed which found that the STBM and microfinance programmes were ranked as the best overall policies with an overall score of 3.25/5, followed by the educational programme with an overall score of 2.75/5. Further analysis found that increased funds, as well as improved communication between different governmental levels, better enforcement policies, and increased training for sanitation and hygiene staff are the main recommendations moving forward in Indonesia’s efforts to improve their WASH systems.

Title: Climate Change in Recent Video Games and Connecting People to the Environment
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Climate nihilism is causing people everywhere to feel a disconnect and hopelessness surrounding the global issue of climate change. Together with climate denialism, where people are doubting just how bad the issue is, the disconnect becomes very hard to overcome. This prevents effective and much needed discussion from occurring. Video games can greatly help combat disheartenment, doubt as to how bad things are, and create a closer relationship to the environment. In this study, I analyzed these elements: the story of each game, the gameplay, background imagery, the climate/weather, the characters, and the atmosphere (the colors, the soundtrack and the overall tone) in two relatively new games (released in the past five years) that represent climate change and human impacts on the environment. These games are Endling and Rain World. I identified the different ways these issues are presented, the emotions each game produces while playing, and how they can make the player feel connected to the environment. They take place in worlds that have been heavily impacted by human action, peoples’ contribution to the warming of the atmosphere and their daily activities on planet Earth. Nihilism leads to a disconnect that causes people to shy away and distract themselves from thinking about climate change. Video games, with their increasing popularity, and in an indirect way, can be a solution to this.

Title: Climate Change in Recent Video Games and Connecting People to the Environment
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Indonesia is the largest island nation in the world and in the last two decades, there have been many efforts by the government and various NGOs to alleviate the issue of unsafe sanitation and hygiene. Despite governmental interventions, many regions both urban and rural still lack access to clean water. Safe sanitation and hygiene programs are fundamental as they affect not only the health of a population, but also help to reduce poverty levels, increase food security, ecosystems, and education levels. It is critical to look at the progress and effectiveness of interventions that have been made in regards to sanitation in order to provide recommendations for how to proceed in the future. Not all policies have the same levels of success in different countries and even different regions in a particular nation. Indonesia is an interesting case study because of its unique geographical features which have resulted in a heavily decentralised government and distinct cultural beliefs and traditions. In recent years, the country has focused on educational campaigns, sanitation programs, and microfinance programs to improve its sanitation systems. In this policy analysis, the effectiveness of the various strategies that the Indonesian government has implemented have been analysed, and it was found that a combination of all three programs would be recommended to maximise effectiveness. This paper utilises a four-step rational policy analysis model, in which the policies are first identified and the criteria are established. Based on the criteria (cost, time, equity, and effectiveness), an assessment was completed which found that the STBM and microfinance programmes were ranked as the best overall policies with an overall score of 3.25/5, followed by the educational programme with an overall score of 2.75/5. Further analysis found that increased funds, as well as improved communication between different governmental levels, better enforcement policies, and increased training for sanitation and hygiene staff are the main recommendations moving forward in Indonesia’s efforts to improve their WASH systems.

Title: Making 306 Poplar Street energy efficient.
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science & Geology
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: The house at 306 poplar street is a duplex that Common Roots purchased to be a part of the co-op corporation that leases the building to tenants. This organization works to make homes as energy efficient as possible to give the tenant the best home quality. In this case, the co-op may have a cash reserve on hand if the building ever goes up for sale. This will give people many different options to take the best step for them. Not only does it help the homeowners get some financial benefit but this will teach these people more money management skills. The Common Roots program wants to have the most energy efficient duplex as possible. In this paper I explore the different options for the program to take to make the home as energy efficient as possible. There are a lot of run down homes in Meadville, the common roots program can make a small difference in someone’s life when they open these homes to a family in need. Throughout this paper I find the best outcome for the program to take to make the homes as sustainable as possible. To find the best solutions for Common Roots I composed a list of renovations that will be helpful when conserving energy. The renovations consist of insolation, heating, cooling, appliances, windows, and non sealing doors. These are a few of the major changes that will have a major impact on energy loss.

All homes can be energy efficient with the renovations of some major factors that can control the energy flow that is running through the home. To make a home energy efficient there are steps as homeowners that can be taken to use less energy. Some of the renovations that I have found helpful for the common roots program are a Heat Pump, Spray Foam, Windows, and appliances. Each renovation has its own role when it comes to making the home more energy efficient. For a 5 ton heat pump to be installed into the home it will cost roughly 7,000 dollars for the heat pump to be installed. The heat pump will make it possible to have a steady flow of warm air being pumped into the home. To work with the heat pump I recommend that the common roots program isolated the home with spray foam insulation. The spray foam insulation will be the best option to conserve energy and control heat throughout the home. spray foam insulation is more efficient than the fiberglass insulation, due to the fact that there can be a full coverage over the entirety of the home. In the home the windows are not in good condition after all the years the home has been vacant. To have new windows installed the windows can be bought from home depot for 229$ these windows will provide more comfort in the home and will not allow free flowing energy to leave the home. When the home is in full operation I recommend that the program buys energy efficient appliances that will not be using and wasting a lot of energy.

Title: Gull Point: Defining Role of Area Change and Water Level Rise at Piping Plover Habitat
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: In 1987, the United States Army Corps of Engineers created fifty-eight segmented offshore breakwaters to limit the erosion of Presque Isle’s swimming beaches. These breakwaters have affected the erosion of the eastern Gull Point, a unique habitat site for over 300 species of birds. One of these species, the rare Great Lakes Piping Plover, returned to nest naturally at Gull Point in 2016 after a 60 year migratory hiatus, which can be attributed to increased human interaction with the Presque Isle site. This study is an analysis of the changes in area and water level at Gull Point in the years 1939, 1968, 1993, 2005, 2010, and 2018 to determine the viability of the habitat here for Piping Plovers. The effects of the breakwaters on total site area and water level were especially noted, which is present in years 1993, 2005, 2010, and 2018. Using aerial photographs and the ArcGIS program, polygons were drawn over the site for each survey year to determine total site area. Monthly water level data from the US Army Engineer Corp was used to determine yearly average datums for each survey year. The changes in area and water level were plotted along a combo chart to determine a potential relationship. Changes in area at the Gull Point site have been drastic since the late 1930s. Water level over this same period has remained relatively unchanged, as less than a meter rise has been noted since 1939. Since 1968, continued area loss has been noted at the Gull Point site. Between 1968 and 2018, .162 square kilometers (70.434%) of Piping Plover habitable land has been lost due to limited longshore sediment deposition. This reduction in total habitat area subsequently affects the already-endangered Piping Plover population, putting their prospect of nesting naturally at the site at risk.

Title: The Life of the Family Farmer in Meadville, PA
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Environmental regulation is a key to mitigating climate change and reversing the negative impacts of human behaviors over the past few centuries of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Improvements in environmental treatment can be traced to a complicated history of regulation policies, but these seem to come and go, revealing an inconsistency halting efforts to improve human and environmental interactions. One key step in mitigating climate damages begins with urban areas that have higher populations and industry, producing more pollution and waste. This project aims to examine the Climate Action Plans of a few cities in the United States in order to determine what political factors help contribute towards relative success. Through a process tracing approach, four cases were selected. Results indicate a few influential variables that influenced the creation of Climate Action Plans in U.S. cities, like disaster preparedness, political entrepreneurship, and mandates distributed by superior institutions.

Title: Il ne faut pas gâcher, il ne faut pas gaspiller : Exploring Waste as the Solution to Hunger in France since Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables (1862)
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science, French
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: My project, titled “Il ne faut pas gâcher, il ne faut pas gaspiller : Exploring Waste as the Solution to Hunger in France since Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables (1862)” answers the question “How are representations of hunger and waste in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables (1862) related to contemporary, French food and waste policies?” Hunger, food insecurity, and waste are three prominent, intertwined issues that impact populations around the world. Although these are global issues, the French have recognized the prevalence of these problems within their own country and taken action against them. France has one of the strongest approaches when coping with these issues because they have well-supported policies and initiatives around food insecurity and waste. Since 2016, France has implemented four national laws, initiated one international strategy, and supported international efforts against hunger, food insecurity, and waste. Knowing these remain prominent issues today, through a series of 35 interviews in the Spring of 2022 in Paris, France, I found that, even 161 years after its publication, Les Misérables exerted considerable influence on the images of everyday French people had of hunger. In Les Misérables, Hugo offers one solution to hunger: properly using [human] waste. In contemporary policies and initiatives, fighting food insecurity relies on waste reduction. Relying on political theory connecting policy to culture, I explore the relationship between images of hunger and waste in Hugo’s Les Misérables and contemporary French policies and initiatives.

Title: The Number One Way to Go Number Two: Proposing the Best Composting Toilet Model for Allegheny College’s Campus
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: As climate change and human impact continue to strain our planet’s natural habitats and resources, water scarcity is becoming a pressing concern and is projected to have devastating implications for areas already suffering from lack of water availability as well as areas that are not currently water scarce, but will be in the future. In an effort to find and promote alternative solutions to wasteful water usages in everyday life, I propose that Allegheny College should implement a composting toilet facility on their campus. I researched existing toilet brands as well as local legal guidelines and narrowed my focus to three potential toilet models that are best suited for Allegheny College and then compared them in capacity, cost, and maintenance. The results of the analysis showed that the Clivus Multrum M54 Trailhead composting toilet is the best suited model for Allegheny College, on the grounds of convenience and legality and would work well in any location on campus or campus owned.

Title: Stop Moving So Fast: Reframing the Environmental Narrative through Photography
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Environmental photography has been a valuable asset for portraying what is going on around the world. Pictures of a lone malnourished polar bear on a drifting piece of ice, wildfires raging through forests, air pollution engulfing cities, and pollution in waterways are what people are shown to represent that there are environmental problems around the world. People become numb to this chaos because they see these kinds of pictures over and over. What if instead of a negative narrative of the environment through photography, there was a positive narrative captured through photography? I took pictures around Allegheny College’s campus with a digital camera to capture images someone may not see on a daily basis. The pictures captured get the viewer to look closer and slow down. So maybe this way, people will respond better to saving the environment and slowing down climate change. There were 14 pictures in the end. The images were displayed in 2 frames: a larger one 27”x40” and a smaller one 4”x6”. Further research will need to be conducted in order to assess whether this kind of photography actually does get people to react differently to the environment.

Title: Federal Support for Sustainable Agriculture: Funding and Policy Analysis of the 2018 Farm Bill
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Conventional- often times called “industrial”- agriculture is linked to numerous issues working against the interests of environmental, social and economic sustainability. A key influence in agricultural policy is the Farm Bill- an omnibus bill renewed every five years to dictate regulations and federal spending choices in the arena of all things farming and food. With every Farm Bill there is a gradual increase in attention, and therefore money, paid towards programs and initiatives aimed at making sustainable agriculture more accessible for producers, as well as the communities that consume their products. However, with the context of the climate crisis, which is already disrupting agricultural systems alongside other persistent forms of environmental degradation, it is apparent that more needs to be done to ensure there are better federal standards to ensure a more sustainable future in agriculture. This project examines the funding implications of the 2018 Farm Bill in relation to sustainable agriculture and presents suggestions for policy in the upcoming renewal of the bill occuring in 2023.

Title: The Fungi of Bousson: Creation of a Fungarium
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: Fungi are an essential kingdom of life: a crucial part of forest ecosystems, having symbiotic relationships with 60% of all trees in the world and over 80% of all plants; are part of the food web, and they decompose old biomass to be used for new growth. Unfortunately, they are understudied, in part due to mycophobia, as they are associated with disease and death. Therefore, there has been a historical aversion to and neglect of them in western science. In fact, it is estimated that only .3% of total species have descriptions. As a result, there is little information available on fungi, and not much is understood about their diversity, ecosystem roles, and conservation needs. This leaves fungi vulnerable.

This project aims to create a starting point for future mycological research at Allegheny College through the collection, documentation, and preservation of the fungi of Bousson from October-November 2022. The creation of a fungarium, a collection of dried fungi, allows for a wealth of potential future research into topics such as phenology, population genetics, range shifts, ecology, phylogeny conservation biology, and more. This project further works to encourage the public to find fascination with fungi through the creation of an ArcGIS StoryMap. The story map displays photographs of each fungus accompanied by a fun fact, linked to the location in Bousson in which it was discovered.

Title: Appreciating French Creek
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: An exploration of French Creek and appreciating its uniqueness, through a video journalism piece. To bring awareness of a natural treasure within the local community. Including an interview with Wendy Kedzierski, Project Director of Creek Connections, to acknowledge her admiration for French Creek and the community surrounding the watershed. In addition, studying the history of French Creek from the once booming industrial area to the previous northward flow of the creek during the ice ages. Further, exploring the biodiversity within the creek and potential threats that would harm this, along with the vast amount of endangered species living within French Creek. While examining the community involvement, whether it’s through recreating on the creek or with one of the educational programs. Additionally, touching on the legal rights of natural resources and what causes these legal issues. Along with potential environmental hazards within the French Creek watershed that could lead to legal rights being pursued and/or granted to French Creek. All while understanding that the best way to protect French Creek is through education about the extraordinary, local treasure.

Title: How well do Ganoderma Sessile mycelia grow on sawdust and spent coffee grounds?
Date: Spring 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract:Mycelium has the potential to be a low-energy method for upcycling abundant agricultural by-products and wastes into more sustainable alternatives to energy-intensive materials. This study investigates the potential of spent coffee grounds and sawdust as substrates for the growth of mycelium, which can be used as a biobased material, specifically with furniture in mind. Samples were prepared using various ratios of the two substrates. The mycelium was allowed to grow until the substrate was consumed, after which the samples were then dried and tested for density and flexural strength. The results indicate that spent coffee grounds showed a higher density and flexural strength than sawdust. Furthermore, the samples grown using a 50% coffee ground to 50% sawdust ratio showed the best performance, with the highest density and flexural strength. These findings suggest that spent coffee grounds have great potential as a sustainable and low-cost substrate for mycelium growth, which can be used to create biobased materials in the future. Using spent coffee grounds as a substrate for mycelium growth is particularly promising, as it provides a solution for the disposal of a waste product while simultaneously producing a valuable biobased material.

Title: Independent Variables Leading to Climate Action Plans in U.S. Municipalities
Date: Fall 2023
Major(s): Environmental Science
Thesis Committee: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Abstract: The field of environmental science and agriculture are often adversaries. Environmental scientists and policymakers often target farming as a major contributor to a multitude of environmental issues such as air pollution, land degradation, and waterway pollution, and activist groups spread this message to the wider public. This project investigates questions of farming, the environment, and ethics by supplementing such academic research with live interviews and tours of two different local farms, Spruce Row Farm and Heagy’s Farm. I encountered the farmers’ struggles with the different governing environmental bodies, finances, working with family, animal health, and their own perspectives on organic and green farming. As I learned firsthand the life of the family farmer in Meadville, Pennsylvania, I came to recognize the inaccuracy of applying this universal environmental stigma to the family-farming framework.

This writing is formatted as a long-form journalism piece, striving to accurately portray the farmers as well as intertwining my own perspective and thoughts. It is curated to be entertaining, using easily-accessible language to enable a general public audience to read and gain insight into the true life of the family farmer. Scientific research and interviews are brought to a head, playing up the conflicting narratives of the “unenvironmental” farmer image with the realities of life on a small farm. Scientific writing about farming excludes the subjects’ voices, whereas I empower the farmers’ voices through my research. This writing challenges the true identity of farming, how farming relates to the environmental science field, and what responsibility farmers on a family scale truly hold to reforming practices to be more environmentally conscious.